Euro Act amendments adopted at the first reading

Parliament has adopted the first reading of amendments to the Law on the Introduction of the Euro. According to the draft amendments, which were originally passed in August 2024, the period from 8 August 2025 to 31 December 2026 will require all prices of goods and services to be displayed in both Bulgarian leva and euros. Price displays in both currencies must be the same size, font and colour, as reported by BNR journalist Violeta Ashikova.

During this transitional period, traders will be prohibited from increasing prices unless such changes are justified by objective economic factors.

By the end of 2026, high-turnover traders — those dealing in food, alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages, tobacco products, non-food goods and medicinal products — will be required to publish weekly updates on their websites. These updates must include the final retail prices of products from the large consumer basket and be posted on the last working day of each week.

• Changes to the Euro Act threaten the free market, say retailers

The amendments were supported by GERB-SDS, DPS–New Beginning, BSP–United Left, ITN and one independent MP. Meanwhile, the opposition voiced concerns about the proposed legislation.

The PP-DB coalition criticised the bill submitted by the Council of Ministers, calling it a serious threat to the Bulgarian economy. MP Atanas Atanasov stated that the law would abolish the market economy.

The amendments now await a second reading before they can be adopted.